I am a senior lecturer at the University of York (Psychology in Education) and a professor in education at the University of Regensburg. I believe that much education is in turmoil because the foundations of childhood and the purposes of education need to be better understood and reflected upon.
My research broadly seeks to discover new ways in which our minds develop in combination with our senses, our bodies, and real world experiences. This has led me to publish extensively on (a) reading and language development, (b) the effects of screen-time and electronic media, (c) mental imagery and imagining, (d) fine motor skills, and (e) Waldorf-Steiner education.
I have published over 50 peer-reviewed papers, numerous chapters, and three books, the most recent of which was written with my wife, Tamara.
Being born and raised in New Zealand, I am the fortunate father of six girls, who constantly highlight the inadequacies in my understanding of child development. I am also fortunate to have lived in four different countries, taught and researched at five different Universities, and to have excellent colleagues who push the boundaries of my own thinking and allow me to attempt to do the same to them.
Formal education: BA(hons) in Psychology (2005), University of Otago; PhD in Psychology (2009), University of Otago; Habilitation (2016) in educational science and educational psychology, University of Regensburg.
HANDS | MIND | EDUCATION research 